Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to closing the energy gap by targeting 5,758 villages and 4,310 hamlets across Indonesia to be fully electrified by 2030 at the latest, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources announced on Thursday, October 16.
This major program is important in realising national energy justice, so that all communities in frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged areas can be served by the electricity grid.
“Electricity distribution is not just a matter of infrastructure, but also about the right of citizens to a decent life. President Prabowo’s target is for all regions of Indonesia to have electricity by 2030,” said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia while reviewing the implementation of the Village Electricity Program (Lisdes) in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra.
According to Bahlil, building electricity networks in remote areas is not always profitable from a business perspective. However, the country cannot stop just because of economic reasons.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, together with PT PLN (Persero), aims to build electricity infrastructure in 1,285 villages by the end of 2025, including 4,770 circuit kilometres (kms) of medium voltage networks, 3,265 circuit kms of low voltage networks, and distribution substations with a capacity of 94,040 kilovolt amperes (kVA). More than 77,000 new families will benefit from electricity for the first time through this program.
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo assured that the company is ready to fulfil the government’s mandate to eliminate all areas without electricity in the country. “Through electricity, major changes can occur—from improved living standards and rural economic growth to the creation of new jobs. PLN is committed to providing electricity to the entire country without exception,” he said.
In Bandar Jaya Village, Musi Banyuasin, residents are beginning to feel the real impact of this program. Rosidin, the local village head, said that the nearly decade-long wait has finally borne fruit.
“We have been waiting for almost 10 years. Now the electricity network is starting to be built. Thank you to President Prabowo and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. This will change the lives of our citizens,” he said emotionally.
Rohiya, a resident of Dusun 4 Sungai Putih, was also unable to hide her gratitude. Until now, she had been relying on a small generator that cost Rp25,000 per night to turn on the lights for three hours every night.
“When we don’t have money, we have to live in darkness. Hopefully, the installation of electricity will be completed soon, so that the children can study at night without fear of the dark,” she said. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E via ChatGPT (2024)
